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Top 10 sights of Kyoto Jachai Polite Authentic Jersey , Japan Travel Articles | October 1, 2007
When people first consider the idea of a holiday in Japan, their thoughts usually turn to Tokyo. Now, there?s nothing wrong with Tokyo ? its soaring skyscrapers perfectly contrasting with its ...


When people first consider the idea of a holiday in Japan Quinnen Williams Authentic Jersey , their thoughts usually turn to Tokyo. Now, there?s nothing wrong with Tokyo ? its soaring skyscrapers perfectly contrasting with its sombre temples ? but there is a lot more to Japan than the bright lights of its world famous capital. At? our Japanese holiday company, we? tend to encourage? people to? look beyond just? the? infamouse capital.


Take Kyoto, for example. The city is the historical and cultural capital of Japan ? a fine mix of urban sprawl and cultural gems. Indeed Jamal Adams Authentic Jersey , Kyoto was home to the Japanese Imperial family from 794 all the way up to 1868 when the Emperor decided to relocate to Tokyo. Kyoto is one of the few major Japanese cities to avoid the destruction of aerial raids during World War 2, and aside from anything else that makes it a fascinating part of any holiday in Japan.


How much time you wish to spend in this amazing city is mainly down to your tastes in sightseeing. Outside of the shopping and purely commercial aspects of the town the main sights are almost entirely made up of by cultural sights such as Buddhist temples and Zen gardens. Because of the quantity of historical and cultural sights, it is very easy to overdo Kyoto sightseeing if done too quickly. Thankfully, walking from sight to sight through the marvellous city tempers this nicely and allows visitors to enjoy the rich contrasts a Japanese holiday in this region can offer. Still Sam Darnold Authentic Jersey , if you only have the time or energy to visit 10 of Kyoto?s cultural and historical treasures, these are what I?d recommend (in no particular order)


Heian Jungu


This Shinto shrine is famous for having the largest torii in the whole of Japan. The shrine was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto (formerly Heiankyo), and is dedicated to Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei. If you happen to be on holiday in Japan on October 22nd, you will have the chance to see the ?Festival of Ages? (Jidai Matsuri) which takes place here and celebrates the day when Kyoto became Japan?s capital. The festival includes a huge procession of around 2 Le'Veon Bell Authentic Jersey ,000 people which stretches for several kilometres.


Gion


Gion is the district of Kyoto renowned for its geisha houses and is the best area of the city to see geisha and maiko going about their everyday business. Gion was built in the middle ages, but due in part to some areas being declared a national historical preservation district, some of the architecture and entertainment remains similar to how it was when first established.


To clarify a popular misconception ? geishas are not prostitutes, and Gion has never been a red light district.


Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion Temple)


The most striking feature of Kinkakuji (and where it gets its name) is from the gold leaf that entirely covers the top two tiers of the pavilion. It is a stunning site and one that Japanese holiday makers cannot help but associate with Kyoto. The temple is placed next to a pond C.J. Mosley Authentic Jersey , allowing a shimmering mirror image of the structure to be viewed by all who visit, creating a powerful image of a connection between heaven and earth. Although the gold leaf covering makes the temple extremely valuable, its value is not entirely monitory, but also spiritual: within its walls it houses relics of the Buddha.


Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion Temple)


Listing this directly below the Golden Pavilion Temple is slightly misleading Curtis Martin Authentic Jersey , because while the aforementioned temple?s golden covering makes it something of an ostentatious monument, this temple is comparatively minimalist. This is because while the original plan was to make this temple a silver accompaniment to its golden cousin, the plan was never carried out and it remains a delightful example of minimalism and restraint.


The temple itself is a simple two-story building, but its beautiful appeal is found in the surrounding serenity of the two gardens.? The first is a pond garden composed of rocks and plants ? the aim being to grant a different perspective from every angle. The second garden includes two carefully sculpted sand mounts which offer a sense of perfect serenity.


Kyoto Imperial Palace


Kyoto?s Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho) was once the home of Japan?s Imperial family Joe Namath Authentic Jersey , but when the capital shifted to Tokyo in 1868, the rulers followed. The structure has burned down on many occasio